It was a weird ending. In the final three minutes, we had 0 FT attempts and 0 FG attempts (until Moâs heave at the buzzer).
This was in part due to 2 turnovers, but mostly because Louisville got offensive rebounds. One Louisville possession took like 1:10 off the clock all by itself.
Coach Mo Havoc doesnât seem as effective or ass organized as Shakaâs Havoc.
Yes and no. Both teams had 15 TOs, and only had 11 vs GT (who had 13, despite being a great passing team). They had 19 vs NC State (and its absolutely what beat them), but they had 14 vs VT (who had 17). Theyâre still not good on TOs, but theyâre a heck of lot better than they were earlier in the season and theyâre genuinely good at forcing them (they average 8+ steals/game).
TOs certainly arenât a strength, but I wouldnât say theyâre a serious problem at this point. And not only is the team good at forcing TOs, theyâll also do stuff the menâs team never does like going full-court press for a few minutes against a team with shaky ball-handling (which sometimes works well and sometimes doesnât). They certainly arenât at the level of Havoc, but theyâre turning into an overall good defensive team as the season winds along.
Rebounding, however, is a real problem. Which is funny, because by sheer totals, it feels like they should be fine. Lattimore is a rebounding monster and Mo ends up with more than youâd expect because she seems to just know where the ball is going to be. Really, everyoneâs rebound/minute totals seem reasonably good (except O, who might be the best athlete on the team and has good size, yet literally has the fewest rebounds/minute on the team), and they average 4 more rebounds/game than Louisville, yet Louisville crushed them on the boards. As did Duke and NC State.
A KenPom for womenâs hoops with that kind of analytical detail would be nice.
Barrtorvik added a womenâs page to his site this season:
Weâve been a lot better in conference play; 9th in conference-only adjusted efficiency:
Compared with the non-conference numbers (where we are 2nd to last in the ACC), Mox has dialed back the pace a bunch and the defense has tightened down some.
Monica Wrightâs the new GM of the expansion Toronto WNBA franchise. Really good for her.
Awesome first quarter at Miami, up 25-13. On pace for 100! And we really look like the better team, just slicing them up.
We need to stop settling for 3s when it seems like Mo, Clark, and Lattimore can all get to the basket at will.
So Miami womenâs defense is 
too?
Not as godawful as the men, but itâs quite porous tonight (this is the first time Iâve watched them tho)
Let them back into it by settling for threes (and missing them), 35-30 lead at the half.
Mo, O and Clark a combined 4/19 yet weâre still ahead? Thatâs nice.
I havenât been watching the game, but in recent games aiâve seen them very intentionally set Lattimore up for 3s multiple times, enough that it has to be part of the strategy. Which may be unfortunate. Because Iâm sure she buries them in practice, but during games no one but O or Mo (or maaaybr Noyen) should take them even if theyâre wide open. I guess aiâm willing to be convinced on Hurd. Games where we take a lot of 3s are a concern for me. Thatâs just not something this team is good at.
Holy moly, did Brown play?
Forgot that the Cavinder twins were back. They have been in college quite a long time, it feels like.
They both took a year off after playing 3 or 4 yrs then were able to re-enroll. But year the literally predate NIL when they were out in Fresno St or where ever.
No idea how we got called for a foul there after their big Gortat screened our defender.
Up 1 with 36 seconds to go. Should get the final shot.
Ugh. Got the block in the post but then gave up a 3 in a scramble situation. Down 2 with the ball, 10 seconds left.
Ref show takes over. Miami draws a charge on Hurd going at one of the Cavinders in the post. Had a big mismatch there with the chance to tie the game. Havenât seen a replay yet, but seemed a little dubious. Rough to lose that one.
Brutal loss.
